I have a 1995 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6L with a cracked Harmonic Balancer. The Balancer is off but it had spun slightly an bent the end of the Key. I have straightened the end out best I can but still can't get the key out to replace it. I reinstalled the balancer using the installation tool and pulled it back off to see if I could straighten any more. I couldn't really tell any difference. Do I need to replace the key? I concerned about the tension that might be on the keyway if it's not completely straight but again I can't get the old Key out. Any suggestions?

If you can slide the pulley on and off with the bent key still in there it is straight enough. you need not replace it unless it has a hair line crack in it. Your bashing on it to try to
get it off tells me it's not cracked. If it was it would have broken off by now. Leave well enough alone.